Childminder in Leeds

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 319588 Inspection date 05/01/2011 Inspector Lindsay Dobson

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has been registered since 1988. She lives with her husband and family in a semi-detached house in the Rawdon area of Leeds. Shops, parks, schools and a library are within walking distance. The ground floor of the property is used for childminding and consists of kitchen, dining room and play room. Bathroom facilities are on the first floor. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have a rabbit and a budgerigar as pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of six children under eight years. There are currently 17 children on roll, of whom six are in the early years age range. All children are cared for on a part-time basis. There were no children present at the time of inspection.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children benefit from a welcoming and safe environment where they are provided with a suitable range of play resources and experiences. Evidence suggests children are happy and settled during their time at the setting and are progressing steadily in their learning. Systems for observation and assessment are in place; however, these are not yet fully effective. The childminder has some policies and procedures in place. However, a sufficiently robust record of risk assessments has not yet been implemented and the childminder s first aid certificate has expired. The childminder provides an inclusive setting for all children, where their individual needs are met. She has started to reflect on the quality of her provision to monitor and evaluate practice and is using the Ofsted self-evaluation form as the basis for this.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 conduct a risk assessment identifying aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis, maintain a record of these particular aspects including when they have been checked and by whom and review at least once a year or more frequently where the need arises (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 19/01/2011

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further?

 complete an appropriate paediatric first aid course (Safeguarding and welfare) (also applies to both parts 28/02/2011 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 of the Childcare Register)

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 ensure all policies and procedures are available for inspection, up to date and reflect current practice  improve the systems of observation and assessment to ensure these link to the areas of learning and identify children's next steps to fully promote their development

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the early years provision

The childminder has a sound understanding of her role in safeguarding children, the signs and symptoms of abuse and the procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child in her care. Adults in the home are suitably vetted and the childminder ensures children are well supervised at all times. The childminder's home and garden are safe for children and the childminder carries out checks before children arrive. She has implemented safety features such as cupboard locks, a fire blanket and a stair gate. However, she does not maintain a sufficiently robust record of the risk assessments she carries out to fully promote and ensure children s safety. This is a breach of regulations. Emergency evacuation drills are practised, which ensure all children are kept safe in the event of an emergency.

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the early years provision

The childminder has started to self-evaluate her service, although this process is in the very early stages. She has obtained a hard copy of the Ofsted self-evaluation form to use as the basis for this. The childminder discusses how she is committed to improving the service she provides and is beginning to recognise some of her strengths and areas for improvement. However, she does not have an up to date first aid qualification as her current certificate has expired and this is a breach of regulations. The childminder has met the recommendations raised at the last inspection showing she has the capacity to develop her practice.

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the early years provision

Suitable procedures are in place to work with parents. The childminder discusses and shares some written policies with them outlining how she works prior to their child starting. However, some of these policies do not consistently reflect current practice and some were not up to date and freely available for inspection. Daily verbal feedback ensures that parents are kept informed about their child's learning and care. The childminder gathers relevant information in order to meet children's welfare needs, for example, diet and medical requirements. She demonstrates a positive attitude towards sharing and gathering information about children with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure a consistent approach.

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the early years provision

The childminder promotes an inclusive service for all children and their families and adapts activities to ensure that they can all join in whatever their age or stage of development. Children are becoming familiar with differences as they play with a This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 range of toys that positively promote diversity, celebrate a range of cultural festivals and learn from the positive attitude of the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides a warm and welcoming environment for the children where they can access a sound range of toys and activities in a designated play room. Resources are stored in low-level units which enables children to make independent choices about their play and freely select their next activity. The childminder plans in a flexible manner for the children to allow them to join in with a focussed activity or enjoy their free play. The childminder is aware of the need to observe and assess children, however, current systems are not effective in ensuring observations link to the areas of learning and next steps are identified to ensure children make the best possible progress.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder demonstrates that the resources and activities she provides for the children cover all the areas of learning. Children enjoy role play activities. They use the pretend kitchen with food and utensils, play with the dolls and dolls equipment such as carry chairs and enjoy small world activities playing with the farm and dolls house. The children are developing their understanding of the world around them. They look at insects in the garden, which links to a theme from the local school and go on trips to the local farm where they learn about and have the opportunity to feed the animals. Children s creativity is promoted as children have opportunities to express themselves through craft activities. They enjoy baking and make ginger cake and ginger bread men for bonfire night and during the snowy weather children design and make their own snowmen collecting twigs and stones to use for the features.

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and outcomes for children

Evidence suggests that children receive healthy choices of food for their meals and snacks. The childminder provides all snacks and some cooked meals for the children. These include fresh fruit, yoghurts, cheese on toast for the after school children and a home cooked lunch for younger children during the day. Children can access drinks at any time, and juice or milk is served with snacks and meals. Consistent daily routines ensure children learn about good personal hygiene. They wash their hands before meals and after using the toilet and tissues are readily available for them. Children are able to go outside each day in the fresh air. Evidence suggests they enjoy themselves in the local park using the fixed equipment or playing a game of football on the field. Children also enjoy their time playing with the range of resources available in the childminder's garden.

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and outcomes for children

Children are kept safe in the setting because the childminder maintains suitable safety precautions. She demonstrates how children learn about keeping themselves safe as she reinforces important safety messages, such as 'stranger danger' and crossing the road safely. The childminder explains how she uses everyday routines to further promote their understanding of keeping safe. Children are positively supported by the childminder, which encourages and raises their self-esteem and promotes appropriate behaviour. She follows her behaviour This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 management policy, by encouraging the children to use good manners, share and take turns as they play. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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Early Years Foundation Stage

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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Stage

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report(Suitability and Safety of Premises and Equipment) 19/01/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report(Qualifications and training) 28/02/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report(Suitability and Safety of Premises and Equipment) 19/01/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report(Qualifications and training) 28/02/2011

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